An aerial image shows a fire-fighting helicopter over a smoke cloud, after a devastating bushfire passed through at Yellow Rock in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Australia. Photograph: James Brickwood/EPA

9.15am BST

Summary

We're going to wrap up our live coverage now. Here's a roundup of how things stand:

Two Blue Mountains (Mt Victoria and State Mine) fire fronts are expected to join together over the next 24-48 hours with increasingly dangerous weather conditions. The RFS can't rule out they will also join up with Springwood, although it's less likely

An 11-year-old boy has been charged over two fires – one of which began in Heatherbrae in the NSW Hunter region, destroyed several buildings and burnt more than 5,000 hectares of land. A 15-year-old boy has also been arrested in relation to the Heatherbrae fire

A 14-year-old has also been charged with lighting a fire near a tennis club near Rutherford, also in the Hunter

Premier Barry O'Farrell on Sunday declared a state of emergency for NSW. It's believed to be the worst bushfire disaster in the state for 45 years

Wednesday is expected to see extreme fire danger warnings in Sydney

Smoke haze is affecting much of the Sydney region, causing airport delays and prompting warnings for people to avoid breathing in the poor air by staying inside and not taking part in any rigorous activity outside

Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione: all of the arsonists arrested so far have been "young people"

Today, there has been two arrests with regards to a significant fire which caused about 5,000 hectares of damage. There has been an 11-year-old male taken into custody, has been charged and put before a court, his bail refused by the court.

We currently have a 15-year-old male in our custody assisting us with similar enquiries, not yet charged but certainly at this stage the intention is he will be before the courts as soon as we can get him there.

It's very disturbing, all of the arrests we have made with regard to arson attacks since this current crisis have been young people.

The weather forecast continues to firm up as being problematic over the next 48 hrs with a continuance of similar conditions to today, albeit with a marginal reduction in temperatures for tomorrow before we see those elevated wind strengths dominate much of the fire affected areas, but also more broadly right up through the Hunter, central ranges, metropolitan and Illawarra regions. We can expect to see most of those areas with widespread severe fire danger ratings.

7.59am BST

RFS update

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has just given an update to the media.

He says the conditions are continuing to make things unpredictable, and "as the fire grounds continue to change, we continue to see flare-ups and erratic behaviour".

There is some good news with the previously mentioned Hall Road fire being downgraded.

He says there's a "developing amount of fire activity near the community of Bilpin and Berambing, and we're seeing spot fires and spot fire activity in that local area".

More to come...

7.35am BST

The Wollondilly fire near Hall Road has been downgraded to 'watch and act' by the RFS, and Picton Road has been reopened.

Guardian Australia's political editor, Lenore Taylor, on the political debate around climate change policies and the bushfires:

According to a creeping conservative political correctness, it is allegedly improper to discuss the link between climate change and the increased risk of devastating bushfires like the ones still burning across New South Wales.

Columnists start by attacking suggestions such as those made in an article written for the Guardian by the Greens deputy leader, Adam Bandt, that by repealing the carbon tax, Tony Abbott is failing to protect the Australian people from climate change risk. Then they move quickly to the accusation that it amounts to politicising a disaster to discuss the connection between climate change and bushfire at all.

But report after report has pointed to climate change increasing the likelihood of conditions that pose the greatest risk for fire.

Two fires likely to merge, "can't rule out" three

Fitzsimmons said they "can't rule out" that the three fires will join together, but at this stage it is likelier to be two of them — the large state mine fire at Lithgow and the Mt Victoria fire.

"North of Bells Line Of Road, the fire out of Lithgow heading towards Bilpin, will join the fire near Mt York and Mt Victoria," somewhere in the Grose Valley, he predicted, saying backburning efforts have had an impact.

Updated at 6.37am BST

6.14am BST

In his latest update on the bushfire crisis, RFS NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has warned residents of Wilton to take shelter as embers travel kilometres ahead of the fire front. Firefighters are tasked to assist people in the area.

“The fire is well and truly heading towards Wilton," he said.

He also said they were "acutely aware" of the natural gas plant near Wilton. Extra services have been tasked to protect it.

Fitzsimmons blamed weather for the Springwood/Faulconbridge flare up where "dozens of homes" have been lost along Grose Road. It's not entirely clear if the houses have gone in the last few hours or if they are part of earlier assessments.

Both of these fires were upgraded to emergency warnings again just this afternoon. “The last hour or so reminds us to remain vigilant," said Fitzsimmons. "The fire grounds remain dynamic and challenging to firefighters."

Updated at 6.40am BST

5.59am BST

A reminder that total firebans are in place for four Sydney regions.

Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains and Central Coast areas)

Greater Hunter

Illawarra / Shoalhaven

Central Ranges

5.58am BST

ABC reporter Lexi Metherell is on site with firefighters backburning in the Blue Mountains.

Third emergency warning in place

The fire has flared up in bushland between Chapman Road and Grose Road. Firefighters are working in the area.

If you are in the area north of the intersection of Daly Road and Grose Road, or the intersection of Lindsay Road and Chapman Parade, seek shelter if the fire impacts. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.

5.50am BST

The fires are again playing havoc with the Bureau of meteorology's rain radar. The "rainfall" signals in the image below are created by the smoke from three fires at Lithgow, Springwood and Mt Victoria and one at Balmoral in the Southern Highlands.

Smoke plumes from the bushfires show up as rain on the bureau of meteorology radar. Photograph: Bureau of Meteorology

Updated at 6.42am BST

5.43am BST

The 11-year-old boy arrested earlier in relation to two Hunter region fires has been charged. I'll have more details for you shortly.

5.42am BST

NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (Wires) has urged people not to call their hotline with offers of help for animals injured in the bushfires.

Wires would like to thank everyone for their offers of help. We have a dedicated trained volunteer base of over 2,000 who are coping with animal rescue and care at the moment.

The best way to help is by donating to our Bushfire Appeal.

If there is help needed in other ways we will post on our website and social media pages.

Updated at 6.43am BST

5.37am BST

An RFS spokesman has said that residents of Wilton are advised to take care and find shelter as flying embers from the Balmoral fire — now revised to an emergency warning situation — is starting spot fires in the township. Picton Road is now reportedly closed.

"Our advice to residents in that area will be to shelter in place because we can't guarantee their safety travelling on the roads," he said.

Melissa White assists her sister Christie Daschke at her home destroyed by bushfire on 21 October 2013 in Winmalee, Australia.

Melissa White assists her sister Christie Daschke at her home destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

A home destroyed by bushfire in Winmalee.

A home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Updated at 6.44am BST

5.11am BST

Second emergency warning for Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands fire has been upgraded to an emergency warning. The fire is burning is bushland near Yerrinbool, Balmoral, Yanderra, Pheasants Nest, Wilton, Bargo, Buxton, Hill Top, Alpine / Aylmerton and Couridjah.

Burning embers are blowing towards Wilton and residents are being urged to watch out for embers and put out any spot fires that start on their property.

A second emergency warning remains in place for the State Mine fire.

Updated at 5.22am BST

4.50am BST

The insurance bill from the disaster is estimated at $94m with 855 claims made, the Insurance Council of Australia told AAP. More than 200 homes have been lost so far in the fires, and it's expected that number will rise.

4.23am BST

RFS NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has given another update on the worsening weather conditions this week. Wednesday is still predicted to bring the worst of it, with high temperatures and winds of up to 100km/h, albeit with higher humidity "which is a benefit," he said.

He said that currently the Blue Mountains fires are not burning as fast as they were last week at the height of the crisis.

"I'm not suggesting in any way that these fires will run in the same speed as they did last week but we can’t rule out that these fires may get up and run.”

Should the fires join up, as is feared, Fitzsimmons said it is likely to happen somewhere in the Grose Valley.

Updated at 4.35am BST

4.09am BST

Summary of events

There are currently around 58 fires burning across NSW, 14 of them uncontained, according to the last update from RFS NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.

Premier Barry O'Farrell on Sunday declared a state of emergency for NSW. It's believed to be the worst bushfire disaster in the state for 45 years.

There are fears the three Blue Mountains fire fronts will join together over the next 24-48 hours with increasingly dangerous weather conditions.

An 11-year-old boy has been arrested over two fires – one of which began in Heatherbrae in the NSW Hunter region, destroyed several buildings and burnt more than 5,000 hectares of land. A 14-year-old has also been charged with lighting a fire near a tennis club near Rutherford, also in the Hunter.

Smoke haze is affecting much of the Sydney region, causing airport delays and prompting warnings for people to avoid breathing in the poor air by staying inside and not taking part in any rigorous activity outside.

Updated at 4.49am BST

3.41am BST

An update on the arrest reported earlier. An 11-year-old has been arrested in Raymond Terrace in relation to two fires, including the one which began in Heatherbrae and burned through 5,000 hectares, destroying several buildings. I'll have more details for you shortly.

Updated at 3.47am BST

3.40am BST

Sydney airport is experiencing delays due to the smoke from the fires reducing visibility. Fairfax reports that Airservices Australia has reduced landings from 50 per hour to 34. They expect landings to increase again as visibility improves with winds clearing the smoke this afternoon.

Doctors are warning people in NSW areas affected by the bushfire smoke to stay indoors as much as possible and put off any outdoor exercise as visibility and particle levels go through the roof.

The air quality is considered "hazardous" when the index (AQI) is more than 200. Parts of Sydney's southwest are currently giving readings of more than 1,200.

Bargo, in the Southern Highlands recorded a maximum reading of 2,443 on Sunday.

These readings appear to be the highest on record outside of the 2009 dust storm which saw Sydney and the surrounding region blanketed in thick red dust.

The bushfires have caused significant air pollution in Sydney. The air quality index is at the second highest levels on record, apart from the 2009 dust storm. Photograph: NSW Department of Environment and Heritage

Updated at 3.50am BST

1.57am BST

Boy, 11, arrested over Heatherbrae fire

An 11-year-old boy has been arrested over the Hank St, Port Stephens fire which began at Heatherbrae last week. The Newcastle Herald reports that police expect to charge him today.

The fire burned through more than 5000 hectares, destroyed eight outbuilding structures, damaged six houses and caused the closure of Newcastle airport.

Updated at 2.40am BST

1.50am BST

A 14-year-old boy has been charged with lighting a fire near Rutherford in the Hunter region on Sunday.

1.46am BST

Looters are "on notice"

NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione has delivered a harsh warning to looters. He said the good news was that "you can count on your left hand" the number of reports police have received. However anyone thinking of looting the homes of bushfire victims would be dealt with "very harshly," said Scipione.

"You need to understand that the NSW police force, at this time as at all times, has a zero tolerance policy.

"We have officers out. You should expect to see them. They may be in uniform, they may not.

"We’ll be doing all we can to stop this type of behaviour. It’s not going to be tolerated. It is a low act - it’s probably the worst type of thing that you could do to a victim of bushfire.

“You’re on notice.”

Updated at 2.32am BST

1.37am BST

Backburning efforts:

Fitzsimmons gave reporters one example of the “high risk” strategies the RFS is undertaking to fight the three major blazes in the Blue Mountains, where backburning near Mt Wilson caught spot fires that were flaring up ahead of the main fire front. “Had that backburning not gone on that spot fire would have gone on unimpeded,” he said.

It was a “wonderful result” he said, however there are no guarantees with the extremely high risk actions the RFS is carrying out.

“All the applied backburning operations and other containing strategies would be tenuous at best in term of their surety of containment.”

He also said that joint teams of fire and rescue officers as well as RFS were visiting communities to assess their preparedness and maintenance for approaching or potential bushfire dangers.

"It’s fair to say you’ve got ‘atrocious’ to ‘very good’ and something in between,” he said, adding that SES workers will assist communities to prepare if it becomes necessary.

1.36am BST

RFS HQ update

The RFS NSW commissioner has given an update on the situation and confirmed that there are currently 58 fires burning in NSW, 14 of which are uncontained. Over the next few posts I’ll outline the major points.

Fitzsimmons confirmed that there is still a danger of the three major fronts combining to become one giant bushfire.

The fires are still “a matter of kilometres away” but with conditions today and tomorrow worsening to what is likely to be “extreme” fire danger ratings, Fitzsimmons said “there is every likelihood...that these fires could start coming together in the next 24-48 hours.”

“There is still a prevailing and direct threat to a number of communities," he said.

Updated at 2.33am BST

12.35am BST

The federal government has responded to criticisms of its changes to the disaster recovery payments. From AAP:

Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield said the changes were designed to help ensure those most in need received assistance first.

"The decision that the government has taken is to initially provide assistance to those directly and immediately affected by way of home being damaged or destroyed," he told Sky News on Monday.

But the government will continue to assess the situation as it develops, he said.

Updated at 2.33am BST

12.26am BST

Here is a list of bushfire emergency resources, including information on emergency warnings and information on school closures and what to do about animals during a bushfire.

12.20am BST

The smoke haze is heavy across Sydney today, even a long way from the fires.

Ambulance NSW (@ASNSW)

SMOKE HAZE: Stay indoors where it is safe to do so, with windows and doors closed #nswfires#smokehaze

A firefighter with a GoPro camera attached to his helmet has given a terrifying insight into what it's like to battle these fires. You can watch the video below. Jonathan Mallin filmed it in Mt Victoria while working alongside his colleagues from the Blackheath / Mt Victoria Rural Fire Brigade.

When the family was finally allowed to go back he saw that the winds had pushed the blaze past the pub, saving it by some kind of miracle.

The Hunter region community escaped devastation when the bushfire bore down upon them last Thursday, destroying hectares of land around them and getting within metres of homes.

Updated at 2.43am BST

11.42pm BST

The federal government has tightened eligibility on disaster relief payments in a move the Labor opposition has called "heartless," reports Fairfax.

Payments of $1000 to eligible adults and $400 to eligible children are only available to people who have been injured, had an immediate family member killed, or whose homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged.

In the aftermaths of the Tasmanian bushfire and cyclone Oswald in Queensland, payments were made available to people who were cut off from their home for 24 hours or more, or who were without electricity or water for 48 hours.

Labor spokesman for human services, Doug Cameron, said: ''It looks like to me that this is simply about trying to save money at the expense of people who are in extremely difficult circumstances.''

RFS NSW commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons is giving a live briefing from RFS NSW headquarters. He's told reporters "we still have a long way to go across all these fire grounds."

Today is the hottest of the predicted forecasts for the week, and changing conditions mean we are "likely to see different fire behaviour."

Fitzsimmons urged people who do not need to be in the Blue Mountains to stay away, and reiterated that there are no mass evacuations in place or planned for the area.

"We are taking a very deliberate, very considered, very targeted approach to securing and protecting all the communities of the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions as and when they become impacted by the forward progress of these fires.

We’ve got kilometres and kilometres and kilometres of active fire reach and that will only escalate as the daytime temperatures increase and set it."

10.53pm BST

Building impact analysis teams have completed damage assessments in most areas, confirming over 200 properties have been destroyed by last week's fires.

The most devastation occurred in the Springwood area where 193 houses were destroyed and 109 damaged.

The State Mine fire which is still currently the subject of an emergency warning, has so far destroyed three houses and seven outbuildings, and one house and one outbuilding were damaged.

In Mt Victoria one house was damaged and seven destroyed.

In the Southern Highlands, fire has destroyed two houses and 10 outbuildings, and damaged another two houses.

Fires near Wyong last week destroyed three houses and damaged another three, while destroying 15 outbuildings and damaging four.

Eight outbuildings but no houses were destroyed by the Port Stephens blaze, although six of each were damaged.

Updated at 10.54pm BST

10.34pm BST

This is a mirror of the NSW Rural Fire Service Current Fires and Incidents map. It should be at most a few minutes behind.

Disclaimer: This information is extracted from the NSW Rural Fire Service Incident Database. It is not 'real time' information, but is provided as a general indication of current activity.

Please listen to your ABC Local Radio station if you are in a hazardous situation.

This is a mirror of the
NSW Rural Fire Service Current Fires and Incidents map. It should be at most a few minutes behind.

10.31pm BST

Some more detail on the Bell and Bilpin evacuations under threat from the State Mine fire.

Other states have sent in fire crews to assist the operations and to replace exhausted firefighters. Victoria has sent 120, South Australia 51 and Tasmania 20. Two ACT teams have gone to the Blue Mountains and eight firefighters have come from Queensland.

10.08pm BST

Current serious bushfire situations

There are currently three 'watch and act' fires, and one emergency warning in NSW.

The emergency warning is for the State Mine fire (Lithgow) which began on Wednesday last week. It is currently burning near the township of Bell where residents have been advised to leave now if they are not prepared. An emergency telephone alert was sent out yesterday. There are different evacuations directions for residents of different areas.

People who live in Bilpin are directed to leave immediately if they are west of the village. People on the east side should leave if they aren't prepared for fire. Bilpin village residents have been warned they may be left isolated and without electricity for several days.

Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine residents should stay where they are as it is no longer safe to leave. "There is a high likelihood you will be isolated for a number of days," warns the RFS.

The watch and act fires are in Mt Victoria and Springwood in the Blue Mountains, and Balmoral village in the Southern Highlands.

The Mount Victoria fire is threatening several townships and has crossed over the Darling Causeway into the Grose Valley to the east and has crossed west of the Mount York Road.

Around 66 firefighters are battling the Springwood fire which is burning less than two hours from properties. Residents of the area should beware of flying embers which can start spot fires well ahead of the main fire front.

Forecasted winds threaten to push the fire across containment lines in the Southern Highlands. There is no threat to property in the Illawarra but residents are urged to be vigilant and note the total fire ban for the area.

9.46pm BST

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell declared a state of emergency over the weekend as more than 50 fires continued to rage across the state. Around 15 are still uncontained and three devastating blazes in the Blue Mountains are threatening to join together, warned the RFS.

"If the three fires were to all join together there is a very real threat to the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury district over the coming days," Joel Kursawe from the Rural Fire Service told ABC on Sunday.

"If those fires were to join you are talking about a huge fire front encroaching on the very back end of Sydney."

Weather conditions are predicted to worsen with tops of 36 degrees today in Springwood.